15.1 Overview of IPv4 Multicast

Using multiple unicasts to send the same information increases load on both the sender and the network. In comparison, because multicasting sends the same information to selected groups within a network without the sender needing to replicate data for each receiver, the network load can be reduced regardless of the number of receivers.

The following diagram provides an overview of multicasting.

Figure 15-1: Overview of multicast (IPv4)

<Structure of this section>

• 15.1.1 IPv4 multicast address

• 15.1.2 IPv4 multicast routing functionality